Same coverage for $595.

The second guy I contacted also quoted me $595 for that coverage. Goes up to $1200ish if I want the entire front end covered. Although now that I've found these clear coat bubbles (see paint defect thread), I don't know what I'll be doing yet.

$1500.00 is crazy.

FWIW, I've had the 3M film from the XPEL pattern on my 2nd gen G35 sedan since 12/06. No problems at all using Zaino products right over the film.

$1500 is too high... the $1300 quote is not too bad since you are getting the full hood, full fenders, bumper, lights, mirrors, and A pillars. If its a quality install its worth it. I am not much cheaper than that for the same coverage. When you start talking about doing the full hood and full fenders the cost goes up due to having to use 58" film... that film comes at a premium and there are not many companies producing it.

any one knows a good place to install clear bra around Davis/Sacramento area? I was lucky didn't get any rock chip for a couple of weeks, until I discovered one today :( I am also looking to tint my car, if the place does both that would be great.

Clear Bra on 370Z
 

RBratton, thanks for the info, my Z is the same as your, but yellow. Having clear bra install this wknd.

Had mine installed this past weekend. Installer came to my house and 1,2,3 it was on. Took her about 2 hours. Very professional. Venture-shield, I think it's called. It looks fine. Actually, no one but me knows it's there. Now I can relax a little when I drive my gorgeous, brand new red Z. I'm so tense about nicks and chips, I had to get the Clear Bra and I feel a lot better now.

where do u get the clear bra done in vegas?

I just go mine done at Aerotect today and it looks great. You can't even tell it is there.

So how is the clearbra holding up for you people?

You guys should post some current pictures for us readers just to see how well the bra has protected your car from rocks, etc... :tup:

Mine is holding up great!!! Car is over a year old and still looks good as new even with frequent track use. I'll post some pics after my next outing.

11k miles on mine and the clearbra (ventureshield) is holding up great. My only regret is that I put a few miles on my car before getting the clearbra done and got one rockchip that's under the clearbra. No rockchips since!

My Clear Bra is virtually invisible. Very pleased with the looks. Hasn't been out of the garage yet due to winter weather. Paid about $750 for the whole thing done in my garage. To this point, I'm very pleased. Time will tell how it holds up.

Just a reminder - this stuff helps but it doesn't stop rock chips. If the rock is sharp its going through and what do you think a thin film will do to a rock traveling over 50MPH? It helps but its not perfect..... and you KNOW the rocks are gonna hit it where there isn't any clearbra....

You know normally I do not reply to posts where the individual is clueless as to what they are talking about, but this time I need to step in an correct this statement. Paint protection film was designed for millitary use on aircraft. It will EASILY stop a stone at 50 mph from reaching the paint. In fact, here is a video that shows rocks being projected at speeds of well over 100mph at a painted steel plate. Watch it and learn something. Notice no tearing in the film and no damage to the paint on the protected surfaces.

YouTube - 3M Gravelometer

I personally have had clients take their car down to the Texas Mile where they are runnning at speeds over 200mph and they are not getting any damage on their vehicle. A lot of my customers track their vehicles (at speeds I am sure are over 50mph) and guess what??? No rock chips. Yes you can potentially get a rock chip where you dont have film... but you typically tend to cover areas where you get the most damage. If that isnt enough, well get the entire hood, entire fenders, bumper, rocker panels, rear wheel impact areas wrapped and dont worry about it. The install will cost much less than having those areas repainted and you wont have to worry about having the paint matched, being without your vehicle while being painted, and having to repaint again once the chips start accumulating.

I really suggest you do some research before you get on here making ridiculous statements thats are based on uneducated opinion... not facts. A google search will bring up numerous videos, test results, and customer comments backing up how well the film holds up. :rolleyes:

any suggestions around Chicago IL for this?

Rick Anstandt @ BodySkins is excellent. He uses 3M and VentureShield film, Xpel and Proform Designs patterns (the best on the market), is mobile, and has VERY good prices. I have known Rick for a few years and seen his work personally... and will vouch for the quality of his workmanship. Give him a call at 847-530-8443 and tell him Thom from HTP sent you. He will take good care of you.

So what happens when it starts to get yellow or warn out? What would the paint look like when the clear bra is taken off?

Well if it stops chips from rocks that are hitting the car at the speed of light why dont they just make the final clear coat this stuff from the factory. LOL

But really what makes it so strong as to not allow a chip from a sharp rock colliding at a couple hundred miles per hour. I cant watch the video right now as youtube is blocked at my work place so I will watch it tonight.

haha. this reminds me of the scene from the movie "iglourious basterds" where brad pitt says a “Deal is too good to be true,” well it probably is"

It is what the material is made out of. It absorbds the energy of the rock and spreads the impact out over the surface. Its very durable from punctures... but if the rock is large enough it can go through the film along with the panel. Its not bulletproof but will stop rocks from damaging your paint. This stuff has been on the market for about 20 years. So if it didnt work it would not still be around.

Auto manufacturers do not provide this from the factory because it takes a long time to install. Some cars do come with it in areas already... Porsches in front of the rear wheels, Ford GTs along the rocker panels... just to name a few. But those areas are simple flat areas that do not take any skill or time to apply the film. A full bumper is much different and takes much more time. Then there is the cost for applying it.

Mick its not like this stuff just came out. 20 years on the market and still going... plus the military still uses it on their aircraft and helicopter rotors. So its been tested and works. The reason why you probably dont know much about it is because normally it is applied to high end cars due to the cost. Sure there is a market out there for lower end vehicles but most people that buy a 20-30k dollar car arent going to spend another 800 to protect it.

Like I said, a Google search will provide you with years of testing results, data, and customer reviews on the product. if your interested do a search.

A couple of things I did see in the video was he didnt fully wipe boths sides of the panel so the uncovered side look more damaged than it really was cuz it still had dirt on it. Also they really didnt give a closeup look at the covered side afterwards before they peeled away the film. When peeling it away I did see some damage on the film that if this was applied to a car would look like road rash a little on the car. It did protect the underside though and is probably a good thing to get. Does it yellow after awhile?

No the newer films do not yellow. And if they do they are warranted. VentureShield, which is what I primarily install, is warranted for life from yellowing, cracking, fading, or peeling.

There are numerous other videos on the web demonstrating the durability of the film. The video was not a gimick... and if you really want to critique one, you will always find something that doesnt satisfy your curiousity.

I wasnt saying it was a gimic I just pointed out that I saw damage on the film when they peeled it off. I was meaning that that damage would look like road rash on the car, admiting that the paint would be OK but you would still see what looks like damage while the film is on the car. Im sure it works well to a point but I was just pointing a couple of things out.

I'm clueless? That's a bold statement - but since I'm so ignorant would you care to back that up with a guarantee? I'm always a little leary about people who have a financial intrest posting on a hobbiest web page. I'm sure if this is the miracle film you claim it is you would never need to pay out a claim. Giving a guarantee would only bring you more business and make you even more money since you should never have to pay out. So are you willing to personally back up your statement and tell me that you'll pay for any rock damage under any 3M film I get applied on my car?

thank you! ill give him a ring and give your regards:-)

Fwiw, the clearbra films are not the be all, end all. I had the clearbra on my previous vehicle and will never get one again. Before I sold the car, the buyer asked me to remove the film and upon doing so, not only was the paint where the film was brighter than the rest of the car - but there were several areas where rocks had penetrated through the bra and damaged the paint. I can guarantee that if all the 370 owners pulled off their clearbras right now, 99% would find damage underneath.

The product does have some merits, but it will not make your car invincible from damage, only minimize it some areas.

I traded a 2006 350 on my 370, the car was 2 1/2 years old. I drive the interstate to work daily. After one year the front bumper looked like it had been shot with a shotgun, chip city. It was horrible, I hated it. The 370 had a clear bra professionally installed right after I got it last March '09. You can't tell it is on the car, the install is so good. As of today the front bumper is perfect. You can tell when smaller rocks and pebbles hit it at speed, because there will sometimes be this little spot of "dust" where the impact was, rock shattered....... no damage to the bra, or as far as I can tell, whats underneath. This is obviously a personal choice for everyone, but after the way the 350 looked, versus how the 370 now looks (like new), I am a sold customer. I have zero yellowing also, as I said, you can't tell it's there.

That is ridiculous to even post that. You are in Canada and I am in Texas. Like I am going to repair your paint damage if you get any rock chips. I wont even have any clue on wether you actually get film installed in the first place... and wouldnt put it past you to damage your own bumper just to make a claim. Look you need to read my posts above before making another post. Your only making yourself look bad here. Film has been around for about 20 years... and if it didnt work people wouldnt still be buying it. DO SOME RESEARCH. Its very simple. Type the word "clear bra" into Google and read up on a topic before you go making claims.

And to be honest I could care less wehter you get it or not. I have no financial gain to make from you... so go ahead and live with rock chips. I will sleep well tonight either way. But if you want to learn a little something and keep your car looking new, then join these discussions ask good questions and listen... not make comments on something you do not have a clue about.

99%. Interesting. So your say paint protection film has a 99% failure rate. How in the world would paint protection film manufacturers stay in business with a 99% failure rate??? Again its not bullet proof... and if a rock is big enough it will damage your bumper. But it would do EVEN MORE damage had you not had the film. And as far as the paint being "brighter" the film is optically clear, so it doesn not block UV rays. The only reason why the paint under the film would be brighter is if you didnt properly take care of the uncovered surfaces of the car... and your paint was oxidizing. The brighter paint was actually what your car looked like when you first got it. So I am guessing there was some length of time there where you were not properly taking care of the paint... thus causing it to look dull. So why is that a mark against having film???

Look people if you dont want it, dont get it. But there are thousands of posts out there of people praising film and how it has saved their paint. You would be hard pressed finding a Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche driving down the road without it... unless they do not have access to an installer (and in that case they will fly one in to install film... I went to 37 states last year for installation work). So there is a reason why they are paying good money to have it done. Because it works... and more than just 1% of the time.

HTP, do you know any good places in San Antonio that install these clear bra paint protection?

Right now I'm looking at here:
http://www.xpel.com/products/dealers...mit=Search+%BB

Also, what other parts are important to protect other than the bumper and hood?
Is covering the roof of the car worth it even though you are limited in money?

Clear Bra - Southwest FL area Installer?
 

Done anyone have any recomendations for an installer in Southwest Florida?

I have a few very small chips on my hood and fender. Would it be possible to to touch those up and then install the bra? Or is that not reccommended?

Of course its ridiculous to expect any kind of warranty that this film will STOP rock chips on your car because it can't. It is very good at protecting your car and PREVENTING rock chips but it will not stop them. I know this and so do you which is exactly why it is ridiculous to expect any kind of warranty that states this will stop rock chips or dings. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of physics or even a little insight to the forces of nature will know that the film is not capable of stopping all force exerted on the front of the film from being transfered to the back of the film. If it did everyone would be using this for body Armour instead of Kevlar. That is precisely my point which you completely missed.

Now for you to state that I would intentionally damage my own bumper is nothing short of offensive. I am an honest person and I work diligently to be honest. For you to make such an unfounded statement is plain rude. Do you always treat strangers this way or just under the veil of anonymity of the Internet? You would think with the economy the way it is a professional business man would conduct themselves with some form of professionalism. It is good for everyone here in the state of Texas to see how you conduct yourself before they are accused by you of intentionally damaging the film if they have a problem with your product.

So once again to recap - this film will not stop rock chips. I think its important for the people on the forum doing research to know this. If they think that by putting the film on they will not have any chips or dings from flying rocks and spend $1000+ they will be sorely disappointed to possibly find the odd chip or ding. It is also important to know that the film is extremely resilient and will prevent the majority of rock chips from damaging your car. I highly recommend it. I'm happy with it on my 370Z and I'll be putting it on my 240Z when I repaint the air dam and my 280ZX when it's repainted.

Oh and here's some proof that it doesn't STOP rock damage.... (there were three rock chips before the clear bra was applied but I did not take pictures of those chips regardless of what you may infer HTP AutoWorks).

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1268106731

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1268106793

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1268106793

Try Umbra in Schaumburg, did a great job on my car and at a great price too. He uses Ventureshield, no pattern but freehand, so a perfect fit.

I was actually wondering the same thing....

There are companys that specialize in chip repair - check out your local yellow pages. You can also try your hand yourself....

eShine Canada: LANGKA Complete Paint Chip Repair Kit

Yes. Just insure the paint has properly dried, and that your prep before painting the chip is done correctly.